Putin orders investigation into flood deaths

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a probe into the 155 deaths caused by mass floods in the country.

This still from a YouTube video shows men being dragged from the floodwaters with a rope. (Russia Today/YouTube/Screengrab)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an investigation into the 155 deaths caused by mass floods in that ravaged country this weekend, BBC News reported.

"I have asked the leadership of the (federal) Investigative Committee to come down," Putin said late Saturday during a meeting with officials in Krymsk, the worst-hit town, Reuters reported. "The Investigative Committee will check the actions of all the authorities - how notice was given, how it could have been given, how it should have been given and who acted in what way."

Putin flew over the Saturday evening to survey the scale of the damage, the Financial Times reported. The President declared Monday a day of mourning for the victims of the flash floods, which started Friday evening when many residents were asleep, according to the Financial Times.